THE QUEBEC ACT

Background  France valued the fur-trading lands of North America.  But by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, they had to give up Hudson Bay, Acadia, Newfoundland, and vast lands south of the Great Lakes.  They kept P.E.Island and Cape Breton (and small areas of what we now call New Brunswick).

Background  To offset these losses, France built a series of forts across N. America and established new industries at Quebec and Trois Rivieres.  Also, because they felt surrounded by the English, they built the fortress of Louisbourg in the 1720’s.

Background  In the 1740’s war resumed between England and France. England used this as an excuse to blockade Louisbourg, cutting it off from supplies from France. England captured Louisbourg in 1745, but it was returned to France in 1748, by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chappelle.

What was the English reaction to this? The English needed a naval base stronger and more effective than Annapolis, as a counterpoint to Louisbourg…. So, they established the town of Halifax in an area known as Chebucto Bay.

EXPULSION OF THE ACADIANS  Fighting again started over control of the Ohio River valley in 1754, and the English demanded oaths of allegiance from the Acadians. They refused, and were deported.

Seven year’s war  England and France were involved in war in Europe from (Seven Years). In N. America, the French lost Louisbourg (again) and Quebec was defeated.

Treaty of Paris  By the Treaty of Paris which ended the war, France lost everything except the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (and territory in the Caribbean).

1763

ROYAL PROCLAMATION 1763  After the conquest, the British hoped to assimilate the French people.  Benjamin Franklin: “…many will chuse to remove if they can be allowed to sell their lands, improvements and effects: the rest, in that thin-settled country, will in less than half a century…be blended and incorporated with our people in both language and manners” *  The proclamation divided the newly acquired territory into four colonies, which would be easier to govern:Quebec, East Florida, West Florida, and Grenada.

Losses under the Proclamation  Protestant churches and schools were erected in an attempt to convert the population and facilitate the disappearance of Roman Catholicism among the inhabitants.  The new judicature was to be responsible for determining criminal and civil cases "according to Law and Equity as nearly as may be agreeable to the laws of England."  A civilian government was to be established.

Consequences of the British Acquisition of New France  Acadians were deported from Prince Edward Island to make room for English settlers.  About 3% of “les Canadiens” living in the St. Lawrence valley returned to France.  James Murray was appointed first governor of the territory. (He was sympathetic to the French.)

Consequences of the British Acquisition of New France  Catholic priest, Jean-Olivier Briand, urged his parishioners “to submit to the king and to all those who share his authority”.  Murray did not introduce an elected Assembly to rule; instead, he ruled with the assistance of an appointed council made up of seigneurs and R.C. clergy.

The Quebec Act 1774  Americans were creating many problems for England (they later rebelled and declared independence).  To deal with the unrest in Quebec, both Murray and his successor, Sir Guy Carleton, urged England to make concessions to the French. It did.

Terms of the Act  The Roman Catholic Church would be allowed to continue owning land and may collect tithes.  French civil law would be restored, but British criminal law still in effect.  Roman Catholics would be free to practice their religion.  Roman Catholics would not have to profess to the religion of England in order to hold public office.  The seigneurial system of land ownership was upheld.  The Quebec border was expanded.  No elected assembly was created (who wanted this?)

So…..  The English colonists felt betrayed. They called it another “Intolerable Act”.  In England, many people viewed the Act unfavourably.  The small group (~200~) of English merchants in Quebec were not pleased, because they wanted to dominate an elected assembly.